Fact check- Is Mahershala Ali starring in New Jack City reboot? Viral poster debunked

The viral poster for the supposed New Jack City rebbot debunked (via YODA BBY ABY / FaceBook)
The viral poster for the supposed New Jack City rebbot debunked (Image via Facebook/@YODA BBY ABY)

New Jack City is a cult-classic film that cinema lovers have enjoyed over the years. The 1991 crime drama revolves around a crime lord ascending to power and how the city changes around him as he learns to wield it. Many fans have hoped the series might have a reboot or a sequel produced by modern OTT platforms.

In early 2024, a Facebook post on YODA BBY ABY's page featuring a visual from the New Jack City reboot went viral online, sparking rumors that actor Mahershala Ali would be involved in the franchise reboot. However, the poster has been debunked as an unofficial recreation in the Facebook post itself. The text accompanying the poster reads:

"In New Jack City, Mahershala Ali stars as Nino Brown, a ruthless kingpin who rules modern-day New York with a high-tech empire fueled by cryptocurrency and synthetic drugs."

It continues:

"As Detective Scotty Appleton, played by John David Washington, fights to dismantle Nino's stranglehold on the city, a dangerous game of power, loyalty, and betrayal unfolds in the shadows of the digital age. Don’t miss this electrifying reimagining of the crime classic coming to cinemas March 2025. For entertainment purposes only. Not real.

The last line of the post confirms the claim of Ali being part of the reboot as fabricated. At the time of writing, no official sources have confirmed that a reboot or sequel for the film is in the works, keeping a new film in the franchise off the cards for now.


Who were the cast members of the original New Jack City?

Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown in a still from the trailer for New Jack City (via Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers / YouTube)
Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown in a still from the trailer for New Jack City (via Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers / YouTube)

The film featured actor Wesley Snipes as the titular character, Nino Brown, a drug lord in New York City during the crack epidemic. Nino built his gang and ascended to power in a short period. His direct rival was Scotty Appleton, an NYPD detective, played by Ice-T. Scotty decided to bring Nino's ring down from the inside by working undercover as part of his gang.

Snipes won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture for his portrayal of Nino. The film also became a cult classic, with audience and critics appreciating the story and acting. The full list of the film's cast members includes:

  • Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown
  • Ice-T as Detective Scotty Appleton
  • Allen Payne as Gerald "Gee Money" Wells
  • Chris Rock as Benny "Pookie" Robinson
  • Judd Nelson as Detective Nick Peretti
  • Mario Van Peebles as Det. Stone
  • Michael Michele as Selina Thomas
  • Bill Nunn as the "Duh Duh Duh Man"
  • Russell Wong as Park
  • Bill Cobbs as the "Old Man"
  • Christopher Williams as Kareem Akbar
  • Vanessa Estelle Williams as Keisha
  • Tracy Camilla Johns as Uniqua
  • Anthony DeSando as Frankie Needles
  • Nick Ashford as Reverend Oates
  • Thalmus Rasulala as Commissioner Fred Price
  • Phyllis Yvonne Stickney as Attorney Hawkins
  • John Aprea as Don Armeteo
  • Fab Five Freddy as the Master of Ceremonies
  • Flavor Flav as a DJ
  • Eek-A-Mouse as a drug-dealing Rastafarian
  • Keith Sweat as singer at the wedding

Also read: Is there really a New Jack City movie upcoming on Netflix? Speculation explained


How to watch New Jack City online?

youtube-cover

The film is currently streaming on both Paramount+ and Pluto TV. While Paramount+ is an OTT streaming service, Pluto TV is Paramount's ad-supported television airing unit, which can also be accessed via a cable connection.

Also read: The Agency on Paramount+: Full list of cast

Quick Links

Edited by Rachith Rao
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications